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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A100
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and A550 (14MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The Z50 was brought out 9 years later than the A550 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the Z50 scores against the A550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony A550

 Z50 A550 
IntroducedOctober 2019December 2009Fresher by 120 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k922kSharper screen (+118k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Nikon Z50

 A550 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony A550

 Z50 A550 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 features physical measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the Z50 compared to the A550.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and A550 is 74 and 63 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The visual underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and A550.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Nikon Z50 to provide you with greater detail having its extra 7MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more recent Z50 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z50
Portrait photography with Sony A550
80
has manual focus
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
72
has manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
73
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
weather proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than average (397 grams)
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography highlights
Sony A550 Sports photography highlights
75
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery (480 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography details
Sony A550 Travel photography details
77
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
resolution is good (21MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
more heavy than average (397 grams)
52
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery (480 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography advice
Sony A550 Landscape photography advice
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
no image stabilization
66
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low battery (480 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging features
Sony A550 Vlogging features
71
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
no image stabilization
more heavy than average (397 grams)
9
can't record video
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony A550
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2019-10-10 2009-12-09
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 209 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 15 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 11.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 grams (0.88 pounds) 632 grams (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 807
Other
Battery life 320 photos 480 photos
Battery format Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $857 $749